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Four-Team Trade – Aug. 12
New Orleans Hornets Get: G/F Trevor Ariza
Indiana Pacers Get: PG Darren Collison, SF James Posey
New Jersey Nets Get: PF Troy Murphy
Houston Rockets Get: SG Courtney Lee
Why this makes sense for New Orleans:
With Chris Paul’s future and happiness up in the air, new general manager Dell Demps had to make a move to try and surround CP3 with more talent. Mission accomplished. Collison emerged last season when Paul was sidelined with injury and showed the potential of being a franchise-caliber point guard, making him the Hornets’ best trade asset. Acquiring Ariza adds some much needed talent and versatility to the wing for New Orleans. He gives the Hornets a defensive stopper and athlete who excels in the open court although now New Orleans now has no backup for Paul.
In a separate deal, the Hornets dealt crap for crap when they acquired Marco Belinelli from Toronto for Julian Wright.
Why this makes sense for Indiana:
Indiana has been desperately seeking a point guard of the future and finds its match in Collison. It now appears that the Pacers are working on buying out veteran T.J. Ford who is in the final year of his deal. Posey is pretty much a throw-in and adds even more depth to an already-crowded small forward position that has Danny Granger, Mike Dunleavy and Paul George.
Having to trade Murphy to get a franchise point guard leaves a bit of a hole at power forward as Indiana will now have to start Tyler Hansbrough at the four and only has Josh McRoberts as a backup. Murphy was in the final year of his deal though and likely would not have re-signed with Indiana next summer.
Why this makes sense for New Jersey:
Murphy gives New Jersey a veteran power forward who can hold down the position until Derrick Favors matures into a starter. He also is a valuable trade asset since his near $12 million deal comes off the books after this season. Losing Lee means Terrence Williams likely becomes the starting two-guard with Travis Outlaw probably starting at the three.
Why this makes sense for Houston:
Houston’s motivation for making this deal was purely financial as Lee is an obvious downgrade from Ariza. Since the Rockets had to open up their wallets this summer to extend Kyle Lowry and Luis Scola, and add Brad Miller, they were well over the luxury tax. This deal saves them around $5 million dollars this season but about $10 million total since they have less to pay in luxury tax.
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